Suffering for Christ

In our Sunday School class, we're studying through the book of Hebrews and we read in Hebrews 10 where it says "But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated (10:32-33)".  Last week, our teacher, Doug, got the following email from a missionary in Bangledesh named Jatish Biswas (email here) with the following story.  Before you read it, imagine coming home to a clean, concrete slab where your house used to stand.  How would you react?  What would you do?

Mr. Akkas Ali and Mrs. Sufia Begum are a very happy family though they are needy village people. They are from a Muslim background.  They live in Rajbari district and received Jesus in their life about 2 years back by Mr. Javed Sheikh.  In order to work they live in the area of Government railway which is far away from their home town. Besides his job Mr. Akkas Ali also works for Jesus in witnessing and discipling. They meet very quietly in their house for prayer once a week. One month ago some of their unbeliever neighbors came to know of their activities for Jesus. They threatened Akkas’ family and made life difficult for them. But through encouragement from Way of Life Trust and because of his strong faith upon Jesus, Mr. Akkas Ali didn’t stop his works. Because of this the angry Muslims destroyed their house and all their possessions. Now his family is surviving with great trouble. They do not have a good shelter to live in and no good job by which to earn their livelihood. Mr. Akkas Ali wants to continue baptizing and church planting to spread the true light he has received.  He wants to work among Muslims to show them the right way of life.

What a testimony of faith in times of persecution.  I would encourage you to contact Jatish at the email above if you would like to help this family.  We were told that, to rebuild their home, would cost about $460.  That's less than we pay for cable or internet--most of us anyway.  Our Sunday School class is taking up a collection to help.  If you would like to find out how you can help, please email Jatish.  He works with a ministry called Way of Life.

Blessings

joe